BUCKHANNON, WV - West Virginia Farm Bureau is one of four state Farm Bureaus across the U.S. piloting the Farm Bureau Patriot Project, a mentorship program that matches a beginning-farmer military veteran who is starting or returning to a farm or ranch with an experienced farmer who can teach them about farming and operating an agriculture business.

Mentors and mentees are matched based on the product or commodity they produce or wish to produce as well as their location within the state.

To date West Virginia Farm Bureau has already helped facilitate one match between an experienced Farm Bureau member and farmer who is also a veteran, and a beginning-farmer military veteran who is entering the agriculture field for the first time.

If you or someone you know is a military veteran interested in farming, or an experienced farmer who would be willing to mentor, contact West Virginia Farm Bureau at (304) 472-2080 ext. 302. For more information, visit www.strongruralamerica.org or www.wvfarm.org.